BRRRR! It’s cold! This is one of those mornings I am especially grateful to be part of a church that doesn’t start until 2:30 in the afternoon. The service time originally came of necessity and was found to be best for the people we serve, so we kept it that way. One of the churches my father pastored when I was young also had an afternoon service. I do not remember why, but i liked it then too. Sleep until you’re ready to get up, then come to church!

As we approach Resurrection Sunday, our study through the Gospel of John has also brought us to the events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. During the next few weeks, I may take a paws in order that we may cover the resurrection on the day that we celebrate it, but it might take us that long to get there without stopping. God’s word is packed with truth waiting to be discovered.

This week we are in John 18:12-27. John gives us some details about Jesus’ trial that the others have not provided and also fills in the account of Peter’s denials. It is significant that his denials are recorded by all of the Gospel writers. I think at least part of the reason is so that we can see Jesus’ redemptive work in action. Peter reacted in fear, but he never stopped loving Jesus. He would later become a leader in the church.

Jesus told him what he would do before he did it, telling him according to Mark 14:30, “today, this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” When Peter heard that rooster crow, he remembered the words of Jesus and wept.

How many of us have been where Peter was that night. Peter actually did have something to fear. As he sat there with the guards witnessing what they were doing to Jesus, he knew he could be next. Give him credit for coming that close. All the rest, save John, ran away as soon as Jesus was arrested. Christians around the world are in similar danger, but what have we to fear? We might be ostracized by our peers. We might get “canceled”. Some have actually lost their jobs. A few have even been jailed. And yes, in some rare instances, some here have lost their lives. But for most of us, the consequences are little greater than uncomfortable.

Yet, we stay silent. If our faith is not hidden, it is impotent. Evil grows around us and we hide behind the walls of our churches. Or worse, we adopt the evil as our own that we may be spared the ire of the world. If we claim Jesus, he is not the Jesus the disciples knew. We may not deny Him with our words, but do we deny Him with our lives? Have you heard the rooster crow? I have.